Leeds United have the unenviable task of trying to bounce back to winning ways this weekend at league leaders Manchester City. The Whites lost in convincing fashion at Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon and changes will have to be made yet again. Here’s a look at the decisions the head coach might have to make ahead of the clash.
Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier did himself no favours on Sunday afternoon. The Frenchman has been heavily criticised for his poor form in recent weeks and the mistakes he made at Dean Court proved costly.
He could little about Bournemouth’s first but the finger of blame for their second can almost certainly be pointed at the goalkeeper after flapping wildly at a corner kick and directing the ball into the path of Jefferson Lerma, who promptly punished the Whites. Meslier should have done more to prevent the Cherries getting a fourth, too, as he allowed Antoine Semenyo’s shot to slip underneath him and into the back of the net.
Read more: Stick or twist: The pros and cons of Leeds United board's make-or-break Javi Gracia decision
His distribution and kicking were extremely poor and while he may have credit in the bank, the case for a change between the sticks is growing. Joel Robles is the next cab off the rank and his experience and knowhow between the sticks might be able to provide some stability at the back.
Defence
The five-man backline certainly didn’t work on the south coast as Leeds found themselves overrun all too often. Jack Harrison seemed to struggle to get up and down the line efficiently on the left, while Luke Ayling managed to provide very little on the right.
Robin Koch endured another uncomfortable afternoon for the Whites, while neither Rasmus Kristensen nor Max Wober, who replaced the injured Liam Cooper in the first half, were able to offer enough presence in the game. Options are limited at the back, with Pascal Struijk and Junior Firpo the only other defenders at the manager’s disposal.
Of course, they will be preparing itself for a tough afternoon against either Erling Haaland or Julian Alvarez at the Etihad Stadium, but perhaps returning to a four man backline would be Leeds’ best bet, providing the midfield are actually able to offer some cover this time around.
Midfield
Simply put, Weston McKennie was a passenger on Sunday afternoon. The American international seemed to make no effort to prevent the game from passing him by and his lack of impact in the middle created a huge problem for Leeds that they couldn’t plug.
On the back of such a poor performance, he doesn’t justify selection against Manchester City. Marc Roca wasn’t much better on the south coast but for large periods he was left to try and do it all the centre of midfield.
Adam Forshaw must be an option to start now. The veteran immediately looked the part when he was eventually brought into the side against the Cherries and his performance against City over the festive period is evidence enough that he can do a job against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Options are limited beyond Forshaw, but Sam Greenwood could be considered an option. The youngster has hardly played under Gracia, but he could certainly do a job at the head of a three-man midfield, with his energy and eye of a pass potentially key.
Brenden Aaronson has struggled for any sort of traction of late, while Harrison can also play there but he’s probably better suited on the wing.
Attack
Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto were probably Leeds’ best at Bournemouth and they would have every right to feel hard done by should they fail to keep their spots. With Harrison potentially set to step back into a more advanced role, though, one may have to.
Leeds will need to be clinical if they’re to get anything at City and Rodrigo has shown more evidence of that over the course of the season, despite Bamford taking his goal well against the Cherries.
READ NEXT:
Wober's anger, Dallas returns, supporters' patience runs out and Leeds United moments missed
Javi Gracia facing Leeds United uncertainty as board 'discuss next step'
Leeds United players release statement following anger at supporter's hotel footage video
Leeds United and Javi Gracia running out of time and answers as relegation threat looms large
- Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani's purported 'responsibility' message as slide continues
